Pediatric Molluscum: Should Your Child See a Dermatologist?

June 25, 2024 by Katie.thielsen

Most prevalent in children ages 1 to 10, molluscum causes fleshy little bumps on the skin. The bumps typically first appear as small, firm, and pink, flesh-colored, or white. With time, these bumps often grow. This condition is contagious and can last for months, so it’s important to take precautions to prevent children from spreading the virus to others.

Molluscum can be caught when the virus is exposed to skin, which can happen by:

Having skin-to-skin contact with someone who has molluscum.
Touching an object that someone who has molluscum touched.
Sharing a personal item, such as clothing or a towel, with someone who has molluscum.

Some children need treatment while others don’t, so it’s best to see a board-certified dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and recommendation for the best course of action. Most of the time, dermatologists can diagnose this condition by looking at the bumps on your child’s skin. For most children, that’s all that’s required. Occasionally, the dermatologist will need more information and will scrape off a bit of the infected skin so that it can be examined under a microscope.

If your child has molluscum, your dermatologist may recommend letting this condition clear on its own rather than treating it. Clearing can take time. For many children, the body clears the infection within six to nine months. Sometimes, it takes longer. Treatment may be recommended for patients who have: